New Delhi: Around January 25, more than 200 couples reportedly engaged in fraudulent marriage ceremonies at a mass wedding event in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. Authorities, including Social Welfare department officials, have apprehended 15 individuals in connection with the alleged scam.
In a video captured during the event, participants, supposedly under the state’s Mass Marriage Scheme, are seen garlanding themselves during the ceremony.
Initially, officials claimed that 568 couples had participated in the mass wedding. However, subsequent investigations revealed that more than 200 couples were paid to play the roles of brides and grooms.
A 19-year-old young man disclosed to India Today TV that he was promised Rs 2,000 to attend the mass wedding but did not receive payment for his participation. In response to the situation, a probe committee led by the chief development officer was established on January 29.
During the investigation, it was discovered that some beneficiaries, such as Archana from Manikapur village, were already married in 2023. Ranjana Yadav and Suman Chauhan got married in March 2023, Priyanka in November 2023, Pooja a year ago, Sanju three years ago, and Ramita in July 2023.
According to the committee’s report, all these individuals are ineligible under the Chief Minister’s Mass Marriage Scheme, as they were already married. The report stated that ineligible applicants had unlawfully applied to benefit from the scheme by concealing their true marital status.
Negligence on the part of the assistant development officer in the Social Welfare department during the application examination process resulted in this fraudulent activity.
The District Magistrate, Ravindra Kumar, stated that the funds allocated for the beneficiaries of the mass marriage program in the Maniyar development block have not yet been distributed.
According to the government website, under this scheme, a payment of Rs 51,000 is made, with Rs 35,000 allocated to the girl, Rs 10,000 for purchasing matrimonial materials, and Rs 6,000 for the event.
BJP MLA Ketki Singh, who attended the event, learned about the alleged fraud through media reports and assured that action would be taken against the perpetrators.